Sudoku Puzzles for First-Year Organic Chemistry StudentsAlice L. Perez and G. LamoureuxSudoku puzzles are used to help the students learn the correspondence between the names of amino acids, their abbreviations, and codes; and the correspondence between the names of functional groups, their structures, and abbreviations.Perez, Alice L.; Lamoureux, G. J. Chem. Educ.2007, 84, 614.

Equilibrium Constants and Water Activity RevisitedDavid KeeportsSubtle arguments based upon the use of chemical potentials show that numerical values of solute molar concentrations can be used as good approximate activities in equilibrium calculations for reactions involving dilute solutions.Keeports, David. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 1290.

Octachem Model: Organic Chemistry Nomenclature CompanionJoaquin PalaciosThe Octachem model is an educational physical model designed to guide students in the identification, classification, and naming of the chemical structures of organic compounds. In this article the basic concepts of Octachem model are presented, and the physical model and contents are described.Palacios, Joaquin. J. Chem. Educ.2006, 83, 890.

Kinetics of Alcohol Dehydrogenase-Catalyzed Oxidation of Ethanol Followed by Visible SpectroscopyKestutis Bendinskas, Christopher DiJiacomo, Allison Krill, and Ed VitzA two-week biochemistry experiment was introduced in the second-semester general chemistry laboratory to study the oxidation of ethanol in vitro in the presence of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH). This reaction should pique student interest because the same reaction also occurs in human bodies when alcoholic drinks are consumed. Procedures were developed to follow the biochemical reaction by visible spectroscopy and to avoid specialized equipment. The effect of substrate concentration on the rate of this enzymatic reaction was investigated during the first week. The effects of temperature, pH, the specificity of the enzyme to several substrates, and the enzyme's inhibition by heavy metals were explored during the second week. Bendinskas, Kestutis; DiJiacomo, Christopher; Krill, Allison; Vitz, Ed. J. Chem. Educ.2005, 82, 1068.

Comment on the Hazards of Peroxide DecompositionJ. C. JonesThe issue under discussionthe presence in ether of peroxides and their explosive decompositionis an important one, and the correspondence referred to is focused on laboratory safety. I believe however that an interesting point of pedagogic value can be gleaned from it.Jones, J. C. J. Chem. Educ.2004, 81, 193.

Organic Functional Group Playing Card DeckMichael J. WelshOrganic functional group playing card deck used for review of the name and structure of organic functional groups that can be used to play any game that a normal deck of cards is used for.Welsh, Michael J. J. Chem. Educ.2003, 80, 426.

How To Learn and Have Fun with Poly(Vinyl Alcohol) and White GlueV. de Zea Bermudez, P. Passos de Almeida, and J. Féria SeitaThe general behavior of Newtonian, shear-thinning, shear-thickening, thixotropic, negative thixotropic, and viscoelastic fluids is characterized and briefly discussed in terms of existing theoretical models. Whenever possible, examples of these types of fluids taken from everyday life are given for better understanding.de Zea Bermudez, Verónica; de Almeida, P. Passos; Seita, J. Féria. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 1410.

Alcohols |

Liquids

Why Do Alcoholic Beverages Have "Legs"?Todd P. SilversteinAfter a sip of wine, "legs" of liquid typically run up and down the inside of the glass for many minutes. This phenomenon stems from the dipole-dipole intermolecular forces that are so important in understanding the physical behavior of aqueous solutions. Silverstein, Todd P. J. Chem. Educ.1998, 75, 723.

An Organoleptic Laboratory ExperimentJohn M. RisleyCompounds in ten different classes of organic molecules that are used in the fragrance and food industry are provided to students. Students whiff the vapors of each compound and describe the organoleptic properties using a set of terms utilized in the fragrance and food industry. A set of questions guides students to an understanding of the relationship between structure of molecules and smell.Risley, John M. J. Chem. Educ.1996, 73, 1181.

Solubility of alcoholsCorkern, Walter H.; Munchausen, Linda L.A very visible demonstration of a gradual progression of a range of solubility, using an alcohol, a dye, and water in a petri dish.Corkern, Walter H.; Munchausen, Linda L. J. Chem. Educ.1992, 69, 928.

A source of isomer-drawing assignmentsKjonaas, Richard A.A comprehensive source from which instructors can choose a wide variety of good isomer drawing examples to use as homework assignments and exam questions.Kjonaas, Richard A. J. Chem. Educ.1992, 69, 452.

A brief freshman experience in qualitative organic analysisGriswold, John R.; Rauner, Richard A.This is an experiment aimed at second semester non-major students. Because such courses attempt to cover so much material in so little time, laboratory experiences must be carefully thought out.Griswold, John R.; Rauner, Richard A. J. Chem. Educ.1991, 68, 418.

Estimating energy outputs of fuelsBaird, N. ColinWhich is the best fuel in terms of heat energy output: coal, natural gas, fuel oil, hydrogen, or alcohol? It is possible to obtain a semi quantitative estimate of the heat generated by combustion of a fuel from the balanced chemical equation alone.Baird, N. Colin J. Chem. Educ.1983, 60, 356.

Bad booze O'Connor, RodOne of the brain tinglers: What is the maximum volume of 95% ethanol that a 120lb student could consume to reach a potentially lethal dosage of alcohol? This tingler also helps students understand why it is important to have denatured alcohol in the lab.O'Connor, Rod J. Chem. Educ.1981, 58, 502.

Winemaking in the chemistry laboratoryHorn, David E.Outlines a short course on the chemistry of winemaking and provides a procedure for making red wine from grape juice,Horn, David E. J. Chem. Educ.1977, 54, 375.

The chemistry of winemaking. An unique lecture demonstrationChurch, L. B.This paper shows that a very complex series of reactions present in the preparation of wine can be used as the focal point to illustrate many other general classes of chemical reactions and physical processes.Church, L. B. J. Chem. Educ.1972, 49, 174.

Dalton's law of partial pressuresDutton, Frederic B.Demonstrates that breaking a sealed ampule of ether in a closed system increases the pressure inside that system.Dutton, Frederic B. J. Chem. Educ.1961, 38, A545.

Gases |

Ethers

Differentiating between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcoholsRitter, Frank O.A primary or secondary aliphatic alcohol dissolved in pure glacial acetic acid decolorizes a water solution of KMnO4, while a tertiary alcohol fails to do so; a secondary alcohol will continue to react with KMnO4 solution if a little concentrated sulfuric acid is added, while a primary alcohol does not.Ritter, Frank O. J. Chem. Educ.1953, 30, 395.

Molecular Properties / Structure |

Alcohols |

Quantitative Analysis

Making water gas by cracking methanolViertel, William K.Methanol vapor decomposes very readily at about 1000C into carbon monoxide and hydrogen; presents an apparatus for collecting the hydrogen gas generated through this process.Viertel, William K. J. Chem. Educ.1951, 28, 220.